Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease
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Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Jul 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialClinical and economic impact of procalcitonin to shorten antimicrobial therapy in septic patients with proven bacterial infection in an intensive care setting.
Biomarkers such as procalcitonin (PCT) have been studied to guide duration of antibiotic therapy. We aimed to assess whether a decrease in PCT levels could be used to reduce the duration of antibiotic therapy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with a proven infection without risking a worse outcome. ⋯ In the per-protocol analysis, the median antibiotic duration was 9 days in the PCT group (n = 20) versus 13 days in the non-PCT group (n = 31), P = 0.008. This study demonstrates that PCT can be a useful tool for limiting antimicrobial therapy in ICU patients with documented bacterial infection.
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Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Nov 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialComparison of 30-min and 3-h infusion regimens for imipenem/cilastatin and for meropenem evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation.
Imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem are carbapenem antibiotics that are infused intravenously (IV) over 30 to 45 min. We evaluated probability of target attainment and cumulative probability of target attainment of 30-min and 3-h infusions for imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem. Eighteen healthy adults in a randomized, 4-phase, crossover study received 1000 mg of imipenem/cilastatin or meropenem as a single-dose IV over 30 min or 3 h. ⋯ Monte Carlo simulations using various dosage regimens at steady-state and 30-min and 3-h infusion rates were performed to evaluate the probabilities of attaining 20% (bacteriostatic), 30%, and 40% (maximum kill) time above the MIC. Three-hour infusions of imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem improved the cumulative probability of target attainment for a variety of populations of microorganisms compared to 30-min infusions. Prolonged infusions have the potential to optimize efficacy of imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem.
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Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Jan 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudySafety and efficacy of intravenous tigecycline in treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: results from a double-blind randomized phase 3 comparison study with levofloxacin.
Tigecycline exhibits potent in vitro activity against many community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant ones. Its spectrum of activity and ability to penetrate lung tissue suggest it may be effective for hospitalized CAP patients. Hospitalized CAP patients (n=418) were randomized to receive intravenous (i.v.) tigecycline or levofloxacin. ⋯ Nausea and vomiting occurred in significantly more tigecycline-treated patients; elevated alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were reported in significantly more levofloxacin-treated patients. There were no significant differences in hospital length of stay, median duration of i.v. or oral antibiotic treatments, hospital readmissions, or number of patients switched to oral levofloxacin. Tigecycline was safe, effective, and noninferior to levofloxacin in hospitalized patients with CAP.
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Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Sep 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEvaluation of antiseptic-impregnated central venous catheters for prevention of catheter-related infection in intensive care unit patients.
Central venous catheterization represents a significant medical advancement, particularly in the treatment of critical ill. However, there is a high risk of central venous catheters-related infection. A novel antiseptic central venous catheter, made of polyurethane and impregnated with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine, was developed to reduce the risk of catheters-related infection. ⋯ Two of our cases in the control group died directly due to catheter-related candidemia. No adverse reactions such as hypersensitivity or leukopenia were found in the antiseptic catheter group. Our study showed that central venous catheters with antiseptic coating were safe and had less risk of colonization of bacteria and fungi than standard catheters in the critically ill patients.
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Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Jun 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialPiperacillin/tazobactam versus imipenem: a double-blind, randomized formulary feasibility study at a major teaching hospital.
With the introduction of piperacillin/tazobactam to the North American market, hospitals have been faced with the task of making a decision regarding its formulary role. In view of its broad spectrum of activity, piperacillin/tazobactam could be considered as a formulary alternative to imipenem. To evaluate the formulary feasibility of substituting piperacillin/tazobactam for imipenem, a comparative assessment of these agents in the empiric treatment of serious bacterial infections was undertaken at this tertiary care hospital. ⋯ In summary, piperacillin/tazobactam seems to represent a suitable alternative to imipenem for several clinical indications including intraabdominal infections, pneumonia, febrile neutropenia, and skin/soft tissue infections in which the causative pathogens are susceptible. However, in view of the prevalence of multiresistant Gram-negative aerobic pathogens at this institution, we do not believe that imipenem can be removed from the drug formulary. In addition, at the currently studied dosing regimen, there seems to be no evidence of a direct cost advantage associated with